SideLion Report
FanSided

Detroit Lions 2018 NFL Draft Profile: Defensive Tackle Tim Settle

By Forrester Solmen

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 21: Defensive tackle Tim Settle #4 and safety Terrell Edmunds #22 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate their sack on quarterback Brandon Harris #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 21: Defensive tackle Tim Settle #4 and safety Terrell Edmunds #22 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate their sack on quarterback Brandon Harris #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Much depth is needed at defensive tackle. The Detroit Lions have a plethora of options to choose from beyond the first round.

There are some tantalizing defensive tackle prospects that could fall to the Detroit Lions at number 20 in the first round. The beauty of this 2018 class, there is some great value in the second to third round.

One player that’s expected to shoot up draft boards is Tim Settle. Given his freakish athleticism and burst for such a huge guy, he won’t be under the radar for long.

At Virginia Tech, the redshirt sophomore took off in his first season as a starter. He made 36 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in 13 starts. In his first season of game action in 2016, Settle managed 17 tackles and seven more for loss over 14 games. Both seasons he blocked a kick as well.

Sure the stats aren’t overly exciting but the tape is where Settle really jumps out. He’s a full-blown load at 6’3″, 335 pounds and plays like he’s 40 pounds lighter. For the Hokies, he played the run very well and was pleasantly disruptive as a pass rusher.

Where Settle gets knocked the most is his lack of tape. The concerns he’s a one year wonder isn’t the issue, it’s only one year as a starter that’s the issue. Teams can’t reach too far to draft him.

His weight is also a tad worrisome. Settle had to drop a lot of poundage as a freshman, which was why he redshirted in the first place. His conditioning and physique could ultimately need a tune up.

Perhaps another year in college would’ve fancied Settle well, but he will get drafted. Third round is an easy prediction but if he destroys the NFL combine and his pro day, it’s hard to see him lasting outside the second round.

Settle is like an asteroid off the snap and there’s much upside to his game. Still 20 years old, the surface is barely being scratched of his potential.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018 - Full first round

For now, this mountain of a man is a heavy sleeper. Once talent evaluators feast their eyes on his film and talk him up, he’ll be labeled as a knock out.

Home/Lions Draft